Anatomy and physiology of female reproductive system The female reproductive system consists of the external genitalia and

internal reproductive organs: the vagina,the uterus,two uterine tubes,and two ovaries.internal reproductive organs are situated within a true pelvis. VULVA

The vulva includes the mons pubis,labia majora,labia minora,clitoris and the perineum.The mons pubis is a pad of fat lying over the symphysis pubis.It covered with pubic hair from the time of puberty. The labia majora are two fold of fat and areolar tissue covered with skin and pubis hair on the outer surface. The labia minora are two thin folds of skin lying between the labia majora.Anteriorly devide to enclose the clitoris,the frenum is formed by the two medial parts,posteriorly they fuse ,forming the fourchette. The clitoris is small rudimentary sexual organ corresponding to the male penis.The prepuce a retractable piece of the skin surrounds and protect the clitoris. The vestibule is the area enclosed by the labia minora in which the opening of the urethra and the vagina situated. The urethra orifice lies 2.5cm posterior to the clitoris and infront of the vagina orifice.On either side lie the openings of the Skenes ducts,two small blind ended tubules 0.5cm long running within the urethral wall.

The vagina orifice occupies the posterior two-thirds of the vestibule.The remaining tags of hymen are known as the carunculae myrtiformes because they are though to resemble myrtle berries. Bartholin glands are two small glands that open on either side of the vaginal orifice and lie in the posterior part of the labia majora BLOOD SUPPLY From the external pudendal arteries.The blood drains through corresponding veins. NERVE SUPPLY Derived from branches of the pudendal nerve.The vaginal nerves supply the erectile tissue of the vestibular bulbs and clitoris and their parasympathetic fibres have a vasodilator effect.

VAGINA

The vagina is a hollow distensible fibromuscular tube that extends from the vaginal orifice in the vestibule to the cervix.It is approximately 10 cm length and 2.5cm diameter.When women gives birth and during sexual intercourse the vagina temporarily widens and lengthen.when the women stands upright,the vaginal canal points in an upward backward direction and forms an angel of slightly more thn 45degree with the uterus.

FUNCTION It allows the escape of the menstrual fluids,received the penis and ejected sperm during sexual intercourse and exit for the fetus during birth. RELATION The relations of the vagina to other pelvic organs is essential for the accurate examination of the pregnant women and safe birth of the baby. Anterior to the vagina lie the bladder and the erethra,closely connected to the anterior vaginal wall Posterior-lie the pouch of douglas Laterally-on the upper two-third are the pelvic fascia and the ureter,pass beside the cervix Superior-lie the uterus Inferior-lie the external genitalia

STRUCTURE Posterior wall of vagina is 10cm long and the anterior wall is 7.5cm.the upper ends of the vagina is known as the voult.The posterior fornix is the largest of these because the vagina is attached to the uterus at a higher level behind then in front.The vaginal wall are pink appearance and thrown into small folds called rugue. LAYER It composed by 3 layer mucosa,muscle and fascia. Mucosa- most superficial layer and consist of squamous epithelium Muscle devided into a weak inner coat of circular fibre and stronger outer coat of longitudinal fibres Fascia-sorrounds the vagina and adjacent pelvic organs and allow the independent expansion and contraction

BLOOD SUPPLY Blood supply comes from the branches of the internal iliac artery,vaginal artery and descending branch of the uterine cavity.the blood drains through corresponding veins LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE Is from the inguinal,the internal iliac and the sacral glands

NERVE SUPPLY Derived from pelvic plexus.The vaginal nerves follow the vaginal arteries to supply the vaginal wall and the erectile tissue of the vulva.

UTERUS

The uterus is hollow pear shaped mascular organ.located in true pelvis between the bladder and rectum.The position is anterversion and anteflexion.When standinguterus is in horizontal position with the fundus resting on the bladder. Anterversion-The uterus leans forward Anteflexion- it bends forward upon itself

FUNCTION The main function of uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior birth.It preparesfor pregnancy each month and following pregnancy expels the product of conception. RELATIONS Relations of the uterus to other pelvic organ is desirable particularlywhen giving women advice about bladder and bowel care during pregnancy and child birth. Anterior-uterus lie to the uterovesical pouch and the bladder Posterior-the uterus are the recto uterine pouch of dauglas and the rectum Lateral-the uterus are the broad ligaments,the uterines tubes and the ovaries Superior-the uterus lie the intestines Inferior-the uterus is the vagina

SUPPORTS The uterus is supported by the pelvic floor and maintained in position by several ligaments. The transverse cervical ligaments/cardinal ligaments/Mackenrodts ligaments fan out from the sides of the cervix to the side wall of pelvis. The uterosacral ligaments pass backwards from the cervix to the sacrum. The pubocervical ligamentpass forwards from the cervix under the bladder to the pubic bone, The round ligament have little value as a support but tend to maintain the anteverted position of the uterus. The ovarian ligament begin at the cornua of the uterus but behind the uterine tube.

STRUCTURE The uterus for non pregnant is 7.5cm long,5cm wide and 2.5cm depth.each wall 1.25cm thick.the cervix forms the lower third of the uterus and measures 2.5cm in each. LAYERS Uterus has three layer Endometrium-lining of ciliated epithelium on a base of connective tissue or stroma. Myometrium-thick in upper part of the uterus and spaser in the isthmus and cervix.The outer layer formed of longitudinal fibres. Perimetrium-double serous membrane,an extension of the peritoneum,draped over the fundus and the anterior surface of the uterus to the level of the internal os. The cornua-upper outer angles of the uterus where the uterine tubes joins The fundus-domed upper wall between the insertion of the uterine tubes . The body or corpus-makes up the upper two thirds of the uterus and is the greater part. The isthmus-narrow area between the cavity and the cervix which is 7mm long The cervix-upper half above the vagina. Internal os-the narrow opening between the isthmus and cervix External os-small round openibg at the lower end of the cervix Cervical canal-is a continuation of the uterine cavity.

BLOOD SUPPLY The ovarian artery is a branch of the abdominal aorta leaving near the renal artery

NERVE SUPPLY Mainly from the autonomic nerves system,sympathetic and parasympathetic

THE UTERINE TUBES/ FALLOPIAN TUBES

Two fined tubes leading from the ovaries into the uterus FUNCTION Propel s the ovum toward the uterus and received the spermatozoa travel upwards and provides a site for fertilization.

POSITION The uterine tubes extends laterally from the cornua of the uterus toward the side wall of the pelvis.arch over the ovaries,the fringed ends hovering near the ovaries to recived ovum.

RELATIONS Anterior ,posterior and superior to the uterine tubes are the peritoneal cavity and the intestine Lateral-the uterine tubes are the side walls of the pelvis Inferior-the uterine tubes lie the broad ligament and ovaries Medial-the two uterine tubes lies the uterus

SUPPORTS By broad ligaments and extending at the sides to form the infundibulopelvic ligament. STRUCTURE Each tubes is 10cm long.it has four portion LAYERS Lining with mucous membranes of coliated cubical epithelium.Benaeth the lining is a layer of vascular connective tissue BLOOD SUPPLY From the uterine and ovarian arteries,returning by corresponding veins. LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE Lymph is drained to the lumbar gland NERVE SUPPLY It from the ovarian plexus Intestinal portion-1.25cm long and lies within the wall of the uterus.lumen is 1mm wide Isthmus-annother narrow part that extends for 2.5cm from the uterus Ampulla-the wider portion fertilization occurs.It is 5cm long Infundibulum-it funnel shapefringed or called fimbria.

OVARIES

The ovaries are component of the female reproductive system and endocrine system FUNCTION The ovaries produce oocytes and the hormons oestrogen and progesterone POSITION The ovaries are attached to the back of the broad ligament within the peritoneal cavity RELATION Anterior to the ovaries are the broad ligament Posterior to the ovariesare the intestines Lateral to the ovaries are the infundibulopelvic ligaments and the side walls of the pelvis Superior to the ovaries lie the uterine tubes Medial to the ovaries lie the ovarian ligaments and the uterus

SUPPORTS The ovaries is attached to the broad ligament.It support from above by the ovarian ligament medially and the infundibulopelviv ligament laterally.

STRUCTURE The ovary is composed of a medulla and cortex,covered with germinal epithelium. Medulla-Is the supporting framework.made of fibrous tissue Cortex-Functioning part of the ovary.Contains of ovarian follicles in different stages of development and surrounded by stroma

BlOOD SUPPLY From the ovarian arteries and drains via the ovarian veins..The right ovarian vein joins the inferior vena cava and the left returns blood to left renal vein. LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE Lymphatic drainage is to the lumbar gland NERVE SUPPLY Is from the ovarian plexus